Apparatus for cleaning gravel and the like



July 22, 1924. 1,502,462

H. F. CURTIS 'APPARATus FOR CLEANING GRAVEL AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 6, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES: 11v VEN TOR 6 .Harry E Curt/ta,

July 22 1924. 1,502,462

' H. F. CURTIS APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GRAVEL AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 6, 1923 2 sheets-shut 2 WITNESSES:

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Patented July 22, 1924.

UNITED STATES HARRY F. CURTIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GRAVEL AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 6, 1923.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY F. CURTIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Gravel and the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to apparatus for cleaning granular or lump materials such for example as gravel and crushed stone, more especially to a type useful in connection with gravel or stone screening plants.

Gravel or stone as taken'from the earth, has always associated with it more or less loam, dust and other foreign substances that do not combine readily with cement and other binders ordinarily employed in building construction. It is therefore essential that such foreign substances be removed from the gravel or stone to place the latter in a fit condition for use; and my invention is directed. toward providing an apparatus for this purpose which is simple in construction, eflicient, and continuous in operation.

In the drawings Fig. I is an elevation of portion of a gravel or stone screening plant embodying a cleaning apparatus in accordance with this invention.

Fig. II is a side elevation of the chute forming part of the apparatus.

Fig. III is a longitudinal sectional view of the chute; and

Fig. IV, a cross sectional view of the same.

Referring first to Fig. I of the drawings, 1 indicates generally the structural framework of the screening plant which affords an archway or tunnel 2 for passage of vehicles as exemplified by the railway car conventionally illustrated at 3. In the present instance the cleaning apparatus of my invention, comprehensively designated by the numeral 4 in the drawing, is shown as disposed at the top of the archway or tunnel 2 in a position to receive the material from the storage hopper 5 overhead, and to discharge directly into the car 8. The outlet of this hopper 5 is controlled by a shutter 6 adapted to be actuated by a system of rods and levers 7 from the platform 8 provided for an attendant or overseer.

Refering now also to Figs. II, III and Serial No. 666,926.

IV of the drawings, it will be observed that the apparatus comprises a chute 10 which is suspended from one of the cross beams 11, of the archway 2 by rods 12 with capacity for being adjusted angularly to different positions about the axis afforded by pivotal attachment of the terminal ends of said rods to the chute. As a means for effecting such adjustment, I employ a chain or cable 13 having one end attached to the chute 10 at 14, and which is guided over pulleys 15, 16 on the framework 1 to a point convenient of access from the platform 8, its terminal end being provided with a Weight 17 capable of counterbalancing said chute in any of its adjusted positions.

The chute 10 is preferably constructed wholly of metal as shown and aifords a foraminated surface 20 over which the material discharged from the hopper 5 is conducted. Extending transversely of the dis charge end of the chute 10 between the side walls 21,21 is a pip 22 with a longitudinal slot or a line of perforations 23 so disposed as to direct cleaning medium (which may be water or any other suitable fluid) so as to impinge upon the gravel in a direction opposite to that of movement of the latter on the for-aminated surface 20. One end of the pipe 22 is capped as shown at 24 in Figs. I and II, and the other connected to a supply line 25, Fig. I, by a flexible conduit 26 which allows adjustment of the chute 10 as aforesaid, and a valve 27 in said supply line 26 permits of accurate regulation of the spray. The spent cleaning fluid finds its way through the foraminations of the surface 20 into a trough or channel 28 underlying the chute, and said trough discharges into a gutter 29. This gutter 29 also forms a part of the chute structure and extends transversely beneath the discharge end of the same. By the gutter 29, the waste fluid is conducted toward and discharged into a drain 30, (see Fig. I) leading to a convenient point of disposal.

In operation, the hopper outlet shutter 6' and the angle of the chute 10 are so con trolled by the means provided for this purpose as to determine the desired rate of movement of the gravel or stone through the chute 10. By proper manipulation of the valve 27 the spray may be so regulated as to thoroughly cleanse the material on the chute 10 without in any way interfering with its progress over the surface 20. By

provisionof these various adjustments, the cleaning apparatus may be adapted for treating gravel or crushed stone 7 of all standard sizes and gages ordinarily recognized.

Having thus described my invention, 1

aligned with the chute for collecting the spent cleaning fluid, a gutter extending transversely at the discharge end of said trough and chute and rigidly secured thereto, a perforated pipe extending transversely of the chute for directing a fluid spray in opposition to the movement of the material being cleaned, a flexible tube interposed between said pipe and the source of cleaning fluid supply, and means whereby the angular inclination of the chute may be varied and counterbalanced.

2. In apparatus for cleaning gravel and the like th combination of a storage hopper having a controllable outlet, an all sheet metal chute having a forarninated bottom through which the gravel is conducted, said chute being pivotally suspended for angular adjustment, an underlying attached trough aligned with the chute for collecting the spent cleaning fluid, a gutter extending transversely at th discharge end of the trough and chute and rigidly secured thereto, a perforated pipe extending transversely of the chute for directing a fluid spray in opposition to the movement of the material being cleaned, a flexible tube interposed between said pipe and the source of cleaning fluid supply, and means whereby the angular inclination of the chute may be varied.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this fourth day of October, 1923.

HARRY F. CURTIS.

Witnesses TIMOTHY P. MoCUn, J OHN H. COSTELLO. 

